The simple trick to fix all your smashed makeup.

Whether you’ve dropped your trusty powder compact on the floor and watched the horror unfold in slow motion, or put your hand in your bag only to discover the inside is now a lovely shade of rouge, it’s frustrating, annoying and most likely two minutes before you’ve got to be out the door for something important.

The good news is that all is not lost, the end is not nigh and yes, you can rescue your broken favourite blush/bronzer/eyeshadow back from the dark place where all your lost bobby pins/hair ties/socks go.

Heartbreaking. Image: Supplied.

In fact, the solution is waiting for you in your local supermarket aisle. All you'll need is a spoon and some Isopropyl Alcohol, also known as rubbing alcohol.

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Step 1: Rescue the crumbs.

Carefully pick your broken product - and heart - off the floor, collecting any loose bits and placing them back into the compact.

Use the back of the spoon to press them back into place.

Step 2: Add alcohol.

Add two drops of rubbing alcohol (available in the medicine/toiletries section of your local supermarket) and smooth it out into what will feel a little like a paste.

Start out with less rather than more to keep a similar consistency.

Image: Supplied

Step 3. Leave to dry.

Close the compact and leave it to dry overnight and it will reset as it was before (unfortunately minus any patterns or designs in the powder). The scent can be quite powerful at first, but it fades quickly.

It's also a great trick to turn loose eyeshadows into pressed for ease and convenience.

While Isopropyl Alcohol has been approved for use in cosmetics and is found in a range of eye, nail and skincare products, it can be an irritant for those with sensitive skin. If this is you, try a patch test (which you should always do anyway!) or avoid completely.